Shut up
Just shut up
Shut up [3x]
Shut it up, just shut up
Shut up
Just shut up
Shut up [3x]
Shut it up, just shut up

Black Eyed Peas, Shut Up, Elephunk Album (2003)

Shut Up is a song from Black Eyed Peas’ 2003 Elephunk album. It’s one of my all-time favorite songs. It’s no wonder why when I thought about this topic, it was one of the first thing that popped into my mind. I believe many of us could take a cue from the lyrics:

JUST SHUT UP!

For many of us, one of our biggest problems is that we talk too much—myself included. Yesterday, I was reminded of that.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of listening to a young, married couple share their personal testimony on the trials and rewards of marriage. But it wasn’t so much their testimony that struck a chord with me. It was their answers to one of the audience questions that impacted me the most. Although the questions were submitted via secret ballot the tone of the question suggested that the person asking was female. In essence, she asked the couple whether they believed that it was possible for God to reveal detail-specific information to her even though there was no supporting evidence. The wife answered. Here is what she said that resonated with me. She said that there are some things that God reveals to us that are meant to remain between us and God, at least until the appointed time. I was blown away by her answer for this reason: What she said was reminiscent of a similar conversation that I had with my minister uncle a few months prior. He said that there are some things that are so sacred that God wants them to remain secret until the appointed time of revelation. Many of us, in our excitement to share our blessings (e.g. victory/breakthrough), blab prematurely, and instead of going through the open doors we anticipated, we end up running into brick walls. We fail to realize that in the natural progression of any birth, there is a significant difference between conception and delivery. Just as with a natural child, if a dream is birthed before time, it will be premature. I am quite sure that any parent of a premature child would agree that children who are delivered prematurely face more developmental challenges than do children who were birthed full term. The same is true of God’s revelations. When you and I speak them out loud before time, it’s possible that we could birth our dreams into a toxic environment where they might have to fight for survival. You and I have to know that there are some plans that are so critical to God’s kingdom that the only way that you and I can keep them safe is to keep our mouths shut. If you don’t believe me check out the story my uncle shared with me about John the Baptist’s birth.

In the Old Testaments, the Ancient prophets prophesized that there would be a man who would pave the way for Jesus Christ. Scripture has since revealed to us that person was John the Baptist. Even before he was born, John the Baptist’s destiny was predetermined. Remember, the Bible says that God’s word will never return to Him void. So, it’s no wonder the angels did everything they could to protect the birth of this one man.

Zechariah and Elizabeth were the parent of John the Baptist. Both were very old and had never had a child because Elizabeth was unable to conceive. One day, when Zechariah, a priest, was serving God, the angel of the Lord came to him and told him that his wife would give birth to a son who would prepare people for the One to come. Zechariah was doubtful because of his age. This is the part of the story where we need to pay close attention. Listen to what Gabriel said to Zechariah:

“I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20 And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time,” (Luke 1:19, NIV).

Essentially, Gabriel told him to SHUT UP! Not only did Gabriel tell Zechariah to shut up, he shut him up. In fact, Zechariah was not able to speak again until John the Baptist was born. Too often you and I speak prematurely into our situations and allow negative spirits to seep in, including doubt, fear and envy. Maybe, just maybe, had Zechariah been allowed to speak, he might have spoken death (literally) into his situation. He might have been so riddled with doubt and insecurity that he could have caused Elizabeth to go into premature labor or deliver a still birth. Remember what we said earlier about those premature births. Elizabeth was already old in age. She didn’t need any additional stress. Who knows, she probably had her own insecurities and issues. She sure didn’t need to take on anyone else’s. Isn’t that the same with our dreams? God reveals it to us, and we blab and allow others and ourselves to speak doubt into our situation. Speaking God’s revelation before the appointed time could be our manifestation of pride and arrogance. In addition to wanting others to see the hand of God at work, we want them to see just how blessed and favored we are. In our arrogance, we can sometimes overlook one small factor: Not everyone in our camp is cheering for us. While we are praying life, they are speaking death. Part of allowing God’s revelation to mature is learning how to discern with whom we should share our revelation. We want to make sure that those who are smiling with us are also praying for us. Thankfully, the good news is: God’s words will never return to Him void. His plans will ALWAYS come to fruition. No man, force or spirit can thwart God’s plans for our lives. However, we can make our journey difficult. Therefore, we have to be careful how we speak our dreams out loud.

Today, my encouragement to you is: If God has given you revelation for your life, seek His directives. He might tell you to shout it from the mountains, or He might tell you to keep it to yourself. Trust me, if you ask Him for clarification, He will let you know!

**Graphics from commentsyard.com. No endorsement of site content, just a really cool pic.